19 replies to this topic

[crocon08]

Does anyone know of good (preferrably affordable) public courses around the NJ/NYC area? I live in Hoboken and am dying to play, but would need to take as much public transportation as possible to get out there. Any suggestions?

[Pondy]

Several really nice public courses out in Hunterdon, Morris and Sussex counties, but public transportation including golf gear could be a problem.

http://www.golfnow.c...orth-new-jersey



NJ - North New Jersey

• Apple Mountain (Public, Warren County, almost in PA, was an apple orchard once, probably hard to reach from Hoboken)
  
• Architects (Public, Warren County, nice course, hard to reach from Hoboken, and Expensive)
  
• Ballyowen (Sussex, Expensive)
  
• Beaver Brook (public, popular, and in Hunterdon County, right off Rt, 78)
  
• Berkshire Valley (Sussex)
  
• Black Bear(Sussex)
  
• Bowling Green
  
• Cascades(Sussex)
  
• Crystal Springs(Sussex)
  
• Emerson Golf Club
  
• Farmstead
  
• Flanders Valley ( nice public course, has 3 9's, reasonable, fairly close to Rt 80)
  
• Fox Hollow GC
  
• Great Gorge
  
• Green Knoll (Somerset County owned, nice course, just off rts 22 and 206 in Bridgewater; could be expensive for out of County)
  
• Harker's Hollow (Warren County, was private, now public, hard to reach from Hoboken)
  
• Heron Glen GC (Hunterdon County owned, very nice and modern course.  Probably expensive for out of County)
  
• High Bridge Hills
  
• Hillsborough
  
• Meadows
  
• Minebrook GC *NEW*  (aka Minefield)
  
• Minerals (9 holes)
  
• Neshanic Valley (Somerset County owned, I hear this is REALLY nice and modern, Calloway fitting center but likely expensive for out of County)
  
• Pinch Brook (9 hole, Morris County owned)
  
• Quail Brook
  
• River Vale
  
• Rolling Greens GC *NEW*
  
• Royce Brook
  
• SkyView
  
• Spooky Brook(Somerset County owned, very open and flat, boring, expensive for out of County golfers)
  
• Sunset Valley
  
• Warren Brook (Somerset County owned course - Hilly and probably expensive for out of County)
  
• Wild Turkey(Sussex)

[Swisstrader98]

Spook rock is great...about half hour or so from Hoboken. Crystal Springs is also good but w bit of w haul. Ballyowen is superb but also a haul. Rivervale is relatively close and feels a bit like a private club and has a decent layout. Mansion Ridge in Monroe NY is SUPERB but requires a bit of a bus ride but would be my number one choice here next to Spook Rock.

[aveb4life]

I live in Jersey City, right by you, and here's where I play with comments.

NJ - North New Jersey

• Architects (Public, Warren County, nice course, hard to reach from Hoboken, and Expensive) - Great scoring course. They host AJGA events too so you know its good caliber. Far drive out rt 78 though.
  
• Ballyowen (Sussex, Expensive)Great Links course as part of the Crystal Springs complex.
  
• Berkshire Valley (Sussex) Other than the first four holes which are designed poorly, this is actually a pretty nice track.
  
• Black Bear(Sussex) Played here a couple weekends ago with some buddies from the city - greens are a little cooked but worth playing. 6500 front from the tips, but only 6100 on the back. Your score will reflect it.
  
• Flanders Valley ( nice public course, has 3 9's, reasonable, fairly close to Rt 80)- not a bad public course, can be slow
  
• Heron Glen GC (Hunterdon County owned, very nice and modern course.  Probably expensive for out of County) -very fun to play. bit of an annoying drive
  
• High Bridge Hills -very fun with the elevation changes. Haven't played this one in 2 years but course was in good shape.
  
• Meadows -played here on Thursday and it was a 5+ hr round. We nearly left. Lots of beginners, easy to score but sucky experience
  
• Neshanic Valley (Somerset County owned, I hear this is REALLY nice and modern, Calloway fitting center but likely expensive for out of County) -great course and kept well.
  
• Royce Brook - I play here most of the time. Every thursday this summer it was $59 for ALL YOU CAN GOLF WITH LUNCH - best deal in NJ and an awesome course - great to score on.

[Napkin2011]

I'd also add Beaver Brook Country Club to your list. It's 5 minutes from High Bridge Hills so also has those fun elevation changes. 1,2, 17, and 18 are almost parallel par 5s. But holes 3-16 are fun with a lot of character. You need all the clubs in your bag. I play early, and there is never anyone out there. Not sure why but works for me.

[MJP22]

Napkin2011, on 14 August 2012 - 06:10 PM, said:

I'd also add Beaver Brook Country Club to your list. It's 5 minutes from High Bridge Hills so also has those fun elevation changes. 1,2, 17, and 18 are almost parallel par 5s. But holes 3-16 are fun with a lot of character. You need all the clubs in your bag. I play early, and there is never anyone out there. Not sure why but works for me.

Galloping Hill Golf course in Union just off the exit 139 of the Garden State Parkway isn't bad for $60 (I think thats the rate).
http://gallopinghill...d=222&page=7417

Its also host to the new TaylorMade performance center and NJSGA headquarters

[aveb4life]

Thanks for that suggestion, definitely going to try Galloping Hill. If you know a member at Suburban in Union, they have a great track as well. Tough greens, very thick rough, and definitely need to find the right places around the course. I wish i could join!

[munihack]

The other union county course is also only 10 minutes further in scotch plains. I prefer galloping which also has a munch nicer practice area and a learning center 9 thats not bad for something quick. I am also a hoboken resident and its 100 bucks for a union county card, you can then make tee times 7  days out instead of 5 and its half price or so. If you play 3 times you break even. Just be wary its usually a 5 hour round at both courses.

[Tower]

I play the Passaic county course every week.  It's close and inexpensive for me as a resident.  It's no Augusta National but i'm playing golf for $25.  Does Hudson have a public course?  For me the Bergen (when I lived there) and now Passaic courses were always available..and I played the other courses mentioned above when I wanted to play a "nice" place.  How about a ZIPCAR rental with a few Hoboken people?

[aveb4life]

There are zero Hudson County public courses, which will hopefully chance in 2013. They are working on one by the Pulaski skyway on, you guessed it, old waste land.

[Titleist212]

Crystal Springs courses (Balleyowen, Wild Turkey) are awesome, but a bit far from Hoboken and pricey ($125 a round).  Always in great condition.

[munihack]

aveb4life, on 16 August 2012 - 01:11 PM, said:

There are zero Hudson County public courses, which will hopefully chance in 2013. They are working on one by the Pulaski skyway on, you guessed it, old waste land.

Have you driven by, how is it looking. They have been "working" on it for like 4 years. I believe they also had some trouble a few months ago where they were raided for no show jobs or something crooked.

[Tower]

munihack, on 16 August 2012 - 03:01 PM, said:

aveb4life, on 16 August 2012 - 01:11 PM, said:

There are zero Hudson County public courses, which will hopefully chance in 2013. They are working on one by the Pulaski skyway on, you guessed it, old waste land.

Have you driven by, how is it looking. They have been "working" on it for like 4 years. I believe they also had some trouble a few months ago where they were raided for no show jobs or something crooked.

[Tower]

I went to Highschool with the people who were in the newspaper regarding the building of this course.  It suck I wish it would just get done an not be a toxic waste dump

[Pondy]

I've been digging Harkers Hollow in Warren County lately.  Was private, went semi last year.  The course was torched in the drought   But it is a nice place, not many people there, enjoyable and reasonable.

[tjumper78]

kinda difficult to play golf in new jersey if you dont have a car (probably the same with any other states).  

i went to berkshire valley in morris county last sunday, and the condition was absolute crap.  it used to be famous for excellent maintenance including the superfast greens but everything was just crap last week.  i wont be going back there for a while because i dont think the damages i saw can be repaired within a year.

[rdsmith3]

I was at Berkshire Valley earlier this year, and it was in very nice condition.  They have a new company managing it this year, although it is a municipal (Morris County) course.  I think it is the Billy Casper company that took over managing it.

[rdsmith3]

Also, just to clarify something above, Flanders Valley has four 9's (not 3).

[Pondy]

rdsmith3, on 17 August 2012 - 10:21 AM, said:

Also, just to clarify something above, Flanders Valley has four 9's (not 3).

My bad!  Thank you

[MJP22]

rdsmith3, on 17 August 2012 - 10:21 AM, said:

I was at Berkshire Valley earlier this year, and it was in very nice condition.  They have a new company managing it this year, although it is a municipal (Morris County) course.  I think it is the Billy Casper company that took over managing it.

Also, when Billy Casper golf took over mgmt, they did not keep the liquor licence, so if you are execting to get a cold beer from the cart girl, think again.